Friday, 28 April 2006 @ 4:24pm. After Easter, I got to thinking about holidays. Indonesia has plenty of holidays, though they tend to be different from the States. For me, it’s nice to be someplace where most folks have actually heard about Vesak or Waisak.

Indonesia celebrates government holidays as well as the major holidays of the “official” religions: Islam, Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. These dates are usually marked in red on calendars and are considered non-work days. Depending on the day of the week that the holiday falls on, there may be one or two extra days-off added. It is interesting how the country celebrates diversity in this way, but also limits diversity to the five religions.

2006 holidays include —

01 January 2006: Tahun Baru Masehi (New Year’s Day)
10 January 2006: Idul Adha 1426 Hijriyah (Idul Adha - 10 Dzulhijjah 1426 H)
29 January 2006: Tahun Baru Imlek 2557 (Lunar/Chinese New Year)
31 January 2006: Tahun Baru 1427 Hijriyah (Muslim New Year 1427 H)
30 March 2006: Hari Raya Nyepi (Nyepi Saka 1926 - usually for Bali Hindus)
10 April 2006: Maulid Nabi Muhammad SAW (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday - 12 Rabiul Awal 1427)
14 April 2006: Wafat Yesus Kristus (Good Friday)
13 May 2006: Hari Raya Waisak (Buddha’s Birth/Enlightenment/Passing)
25 May 2006: Kenaikan Yesus Kristus (Ascension of Jesus Christ)
17 August 2006: Hari Kemerdekaan RI (Indonesia’s Independence Day)
21 August 2006: Isra’Mi’raj Nabi Muhammad SAW (Ascension Day of Prophet Muhammad)
24-25 October 2006: Idul Fitri 1 Syawal 1427 Hijriyah (Idul Fitri - 1 & 2 Syawal 1426H)
25 December 2006: Hari Raya Natal (Christmas Day)
31 December 2006: Idul Adha 1427 Hijriyah (Idul Adha - 10 Dzulhijjah 1427 H)